Chromium deficiency symptoms
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Chromium Deficiency Symptoms: An Overview
Introduction to Chromium Deficiency
Chromium is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in the metabolism of sugars and fats. Insufficient dietary chromium intake has been linked to several health issues, including maturity-onset diabetes and cardiovascular diseases1 2. Despite its importance, many people in developed countries consume less than the recommended daily intake of chromium, which is around 50 micrograms1.
Symptoms of Chromium Deficiency
Impaired Glucose Tolerance and Elevated Insulin Levels
One of the primary symptoms of chromium deficiency is impaired glucose tolerance. This condition is characterized by the body's inability to efficiently process glucose, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that individuals with marginally impaired glucose tolerance or elevated circulating insulin levels often respond positively to chromium supplementation2 4. This suggests that chromium plays a significant role in enhancing insulin activity and glucose metabolism.
Cardiovascular Issues
Chromium deficiency has also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Insufficient chromium intake can lead to adverse changes in blood lipid profiles, which are risk factors for heart disease1 2. Some studies have reported improvements in blood lipid profiles with chromium supplementation, although the results are not always consistent3 4.
Symptoms Exacerbated by Stress
Various forms of stress, including high sugar diets, strenuous exercise, physical trauma, and infections, can exacerbate the symptoms of chromium deficiency. These stressors increase the body's chromium losses, further impairing glucose and lipid metabolism1.
Controversies and Inconsistencies in Research
Mixed Results on Supplementation
While some studies have shown beneficial effects of chromium supplementation on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and lipid profiles, others have found no significant improvements3 5. This inconsistency has led to ongoing debates about the efficacy of chromium supplements. For instance, a review of 15 controlled studies found that while some interventions improved insulin efficiency and blood lipid profiles, others did not show any beneficial effects4.
Challenges in Diagnosing Chromium Deficiency
One of the major challenges in chromium research is the lack of a reliable diagnostic test to assess chromium status in individuals. Without such a test, it is difficult to determine the incidence and severity of chromium deficiency in the population and to identify individuals who might benefit from supplementation4.
Conclusion
Chromium deficiency can lead to significant health issues, including impaired glucose tolerance, elevated insulin levels, and cardiovascular diseases. While some studies support the benefits of chromium supplementation, the results are inconsistent, and more research is needed to fully understand its role and efficacy. Addressing the challenges in diagnosing chromium deficiency and understanding its molecular mechanisms will be crucial for future advancements in this field.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Essentiality of chromium in humans.
Supplementing with chromium can improve glucose metabolism, blood lipids, insulin binding, and symptoms in individuals with marginal or overt chromium deficiency.
Highly CitedRecent advances in the clinical and biochemical effects of chromium deficiency.
Recent advances in chromium nutrition research strengthen the association between insufficient dietary chromium and risk factors for maturity-onset diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, and highlight the importance of chromium in maintaining optimal health.
Chromium supplementation does not improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, or lipid profile: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial of supplementation in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.
Chromium supplementation does not improve glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, or lipid profile in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.
RCT
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedChromium in human nutrition: a review.
Chromium supplementation can improve insulin efficiency and blood lipid profile in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, but its complete structural identification and diagnosis of chromium deficiency remain challenges.
Literature ReviewHighly CitedEffects of chromium supplementation on body composition, human and animal health, and insulin and glucose metabolism.
Chromium supplementation shows no significant clinical effects on body composition or symptoms of insulin resistance in humans or farm animals, and further studies are needed to understand its molecular action.
Systematic ReviewEffect of chromium chloride supplementation on glucose tolerance and serum lipids including high-density lipoprotein of adult men.
Chromium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity and raises high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in adult men with insulin resistance but normal glucose tolerance.
Non-RCTHighly CitedIn patients with HIV-infection, chromium supplementation improves insulin resistance and other metabolic abnormalities: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial.
Chromium supplementation improves insulin resistance, metabolic abnormalities, and body composition in HIV+ patients without side effects.
RCTChromium improves insulin response to glucose in rats.
Chromium supplementation improves insulin response and glucose clearance in rats with impaired glucose tolerance due to dietary chromium deficiency, reducing insulin resistance and promoting beta-cell hypersecretion of insulin.
Highly CitedEffects of chromium supplementation on fasting insulin levels and lipid parameters in healthy, non-obese young subjects.
Chromium supplementation may improve insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk in young adults with high immunoreactive insulin levels, despite no significant changes in serum lipids.
RCTHighly CitedSupplemental chromium: its benefits to the bovine immune system
Supplementing cattle with organic chromium improves production, immune status, and health, potentially reducing infectious diseases and increasing production potential.
Highly Cited